S/N temp policy changes during pandemic

Regular computer science graduate program rules prohibit the use of CSCI S/N courses towards degree requirements. In other words, all CSCI courses must be taken on the A-F grading scale if it is offered in order to be applied towards degree requirements.

Regular data science graduate program rules prohibit the use of S/N courses from departments that make up the data science program towards degree requirements (i.e. CSCI, STAT, IE, EE, MATH, PUBH). In other words, courses taken from data science program departments must be taken on the A-F grading scale if it is offered in order to be applied towards degree requirements.

During the peak stages of the pandemic in 2020 and 2021, we understand the massive impact this may have had on students’ performance in the classroom. Therefore, temporary changes to the use of S/N courses in our computer science and data science graduate programs were made for the Spring 2021, Fall 2020, and Spring 2021 semesters. Details on these changes are outlined below.

Spring 2020

Computer Science M.C.S., M.S., and Ph.D. students can use CSCI courses taken on the S/N grading scale as breadth requirements or electives.

Data Science Post-Baccalaureate and M.S. students can use S/N courses from data science departments towards track requirements or electives.

Any S/N courses will not count towards the University-wide limit of S/N courses. The University only permits a maximum of 1/3 of the course credits taken S/N to count on the degree plan for both Masters and Ph.D. programs. If courses taken during the Spring 2020 semester result in a student exceeding this limit, they will be granted a waiver.

Fall 2020

Computer Science M.C.S., M.S., and Ph.D. students can use CSCI courses taken on the S/N grading scale as electives only. Courses for breadth requirements must be taken on the A-F grading scale.

Data Science Post-Baccalaureate and M.S. students can use S/N courses from data science departments as electives only. Courses for track requirements must be taken on the A-F grading scale.

Any S/N courses completed during this semester will count toward the normal University limit on S/N courses.

Spring 2021

Computer Science M.C.S., M.S., and Ph.D. students can use CSCI courses taken on the S/N grading scale as electives only. Courses for breadth requirements must be taken on the A-F grading scale.

Data Science Post-Baccalaureate and M.S. students can use S/N courses from data science departments as electives only. Courses for track requirements must be taken on the A-F grading scale.

Any S/N courses completed during this semester will count toward the normal University limit on S/N courses.

Fall 2021

Regular rules and limitations of S/N courses are back in effect.
 

Please note that these temporary policy changes do not allow the use of audited courses towards degree requirements.

Any questions regarding grading basis policies can be directed to our Graduate Program Coordinators at csgradmn@umn.edu.